The Ford Ranger was first revealed back in 1983 when it redefined the segment and became the most popular compact pick-up. However, since then the Range grew bigger and bigger and is not the smallest pickup in Ford’s lineup as that honor goes to the affordable Ford Maverick. For the 2023 model year, the Ford Ranger Wildtrak is getting a hefty overhaul.
In this article, we will tell you all about 2023 Ford Ranger Wildtrak, what to look out for, and what to expect from this new Ford bestseller pickup truck. The engine stays the same which is a good thing as the engine found in the 2022 Ranger Wildtrak is still a really good powertrain. The same story goes for the transmission.
However, some say that the Ranger might be getting a V6 and a hybrid in due time. The most obvious changes are size and technology as the new Ranger upgrades over the old one quite a bit in both categories.
A new infotainment screen, a bigger display, and a digital driver’s display are all up for grabs. Practicality is actually going to improve over the outgoing model because the Ranger is now taller, wider, and longer with a larger bed and more space in the interior.
2023 Ford Ranger Wildtrak – The Powertrain
With its 2.3L 4-cylinder turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, the Ranger Wildtrak is pushing out 270hp and 310lb-ft of torque which is more than plenty for most people. This engine can return up to about 23MPG combined which is not bad for a truck, but we will have to wait and see if that is actually going to be the case.
Some sources are saying that two new engines are joining the lineup. The first one is the most powerful Ford Ranger ever with a V6 configuration and more than 300hp. The other one is a hybrid Ranger which is also the very first time in history that an electric motor is going to find its way into the Ranger.
The 10-speed transmission is here to stay. You can choose between FWD Ranger models and AWD Ranger models depending on what you need and which model you decide to go for. Either way, if the Ranger does get a V6 and a hybrid, it is going to have one of the best engine palettes in the entire Ford truck lineup.
2023 Ford Ranger Wildtrak – Design and Driving
The Ford Ranger Wildtrak is the top-spec model which means that it is going to come with the very best features you can get out of a Ranger. The party piece of the new Ranger is the new headlight design which now features slim Matrix LED with self-leveling and adaptive technologies. Rear LEDs are included on all models while the front grille is now wider and more akin to some F-Series trucks.
The Ranger is now bigger in every dimension with a longer track and longer wheelbase which makes it more capable off-road and more stable on-road. The interior is going to get a huge overhaul with new digital screens which are a lot bigger, brighter, and more responsive.
2023 Ford Ranger Wildtrak – Technology
The new Ford Ranger Wildtrak is going to get a whole host of technological upgrades such as the new 360 Ford CoPilot driver assistance feature with new Sync 3 infotainment system and Ford’s FordPass app that keeps you in constant connection with your car at any time.
The Ranger Wildtrak also gets BLIS technology, lane-keep assist, pre-collision avoidance, all sorts of cameras, and a new 5G connection with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto through its significantly larger standard 10-inch screen. A B&O sound system is also available and so is the voice recognition and command system.
2023 Ford Ranger Wildtrak – Pricing and Trim Levels
The 2023 XL Ranger costs around $25,000, the XLT is around $30,000, the Lariat is around $35,000 and the Wildtrak is likely going to cost around $40,000. It is the highest-spec Ford Ranger model which means that you will get pretty much everything you want with it.
You can expect the Ranger Wildtrak to arrive before the end of 2022 while sales aren’t going to kick off before 2023. Either way, the 2023 Wildtrak does come with a whole host of upgrades and is certainly worth the wait.
FAQ Section
Is the 2023 Ford Ranger Wildtrak better than the 2022 Ranger Wildtrak?
Yes, it is. The 2023 Ranger Wildtrak simply offers too many great upgrades for it not to be better than the 2022 model year. We will have to wait until we can 100% confirm everything that is out right now, but the 2023 Wildtrak Ranger is certainly a huge upgrade over the previous model.
One thing that isn’t overly exciting is the potential waiting list and all the markups dealership might charge when the new 2023 Ranger Wildtrak does arrive. We will also have to wait and see how that is going to turn out, but if the Bronco is an example, we are going to see markups galore.
Is the Ford Ranger Wildtrak an off-road package?
Even though the Ford Ranger Wildtrak is a really capable car off-road, it is not an off-road package. That honor goes to the FX2 and the FX4 Ranger which are designed specifically for off-road use and are much better than the Wildtrak at it.
We also need to mention the Ford Ranger Tremor which looks the best out of all Ranger off-road friendly models and is also equipped with beefy General Grabber tires, updated suspension, and lots of special off-road driving modes that are going to make your driving experience a lot more exciting.
What is the top-spec Ford Ranger model?
The top-spec Ford Ranger model is the Ranger Raptor which costs as much as $56,000 and is two times more expensive than the entry-level Ranger. For such a price, you are getting a 3.0L V6 with 400hp and 430lb-ft of torque, lots of styling upgrades, and a better suspension and tire setup.
